A week staying in Bournemouth found me on a Wednesday evening visiting Merley Cobham, a small village outside Poole, where the home side Cobham Sports FC had a friendly against Poole Town.

Cobham Sports play in the Dorset Premier League, where they finished in a creditable fifth place last season. They are managed by Johnny Bines and the club was founded in 1949 as Flight Refuelling FC.

Poole Town play in the Southern League Premier Division South, and finished 14th of 22 teams in last season’s league. They are jointly managed by Pat Suraci and Joe Lea and came into tonight’s friendly with Shaq Gwengwe on fire, scoring four goals in his two matches.

With just fourteen minutes on the clock, Cobham Sports FC’s Trim found space in the opposition area, to head home a corner, putting his side 1-0 ahead.

On 20 minutes the home side were two ahead, with Bertorelli sliding the ball home from the right hand side of the area.

Four minutes later it was 2-1 when a shot from distance by Poole Town’s O’Connell flew into the home net.

On the stroke of half time the home side were back in front by two goals again, when Eze-Sunday finished confidently from the right flank. As the half-time whistle blew an entertaining first half had ended with Cobham Sports FC leading Poole Town 3-1.

Seven minutes into the second half, Poole Town had a goal back. Ismail’s header at the far post found an empty net to pull the score back to 3-2.

The second half saw both sides go close to extending the goal count. However the two keepers performed well, when required, and the strikers lost their touch when in front of goal.

At the final whistle the crowd of 200 plus went home having seen a well fought match end in victory for Cobham Sports FC. Poole Town’s played their part in an entertaining game.